View source for Carbon accounting

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{{short description|Processes used to measure emissions of carbon dioxide equivalents}}
{{About|accounting for greenhouse gases from organizations, communities, companies and mitigation projects|inventorying GHGs from regions and states|Greenhouse gas inventory}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
[[File:Carbon Accounting Scopes.png|thumb|upright=1.35|alt=Graph showing how Scopes 1, 2 and 3 can be thought of in terms of carbon accounting principles.|Depiction of carbon accounting using the WRI-Greenhouse Gas Protocol classification of [[Greenhouse gas emissions|emissions]] into three categories: Scope 1, 2, and 3. Additional downstream Scope 3 sources are shown on WRI's website.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Karen|last=Hills |date=20 April 2022|title=The Basics of Carbon Markets and Trends: Something to Keep an Eye On {{!}} CSANR {{!}} Washington State University |url=https://csanr.wsu.edu/the-basics-of-carbon-markets-and-trends/ |access-date=2023-03-08 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-02 |title=Greenhouse Gas Protocol |url=https://www.wri.org/initiatives/greenhouse-gas-protocol |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=World Resources Institute |language=en}}</ref>]]

'''Carbon accounting''' (or '''greenhouse gas accounting''') is a framework of methods to measure and track how much [[greenhouse gas]] (GHG) an organization emits.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carbon Accounting |url=https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/esg/carbon-accounting/ |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=Corporate Finance Institute |language=en-US}}</ref> It can also be used to track projects or actions to reduce emissions in sectors such as [[reforestation|forestry]] or [[renewable energy]]. [[Corporations]], cities and other groups use these techniques to help [[Climate change mitigation|limit climate change]]. Organizations will often set an emissions baseline, create targets for reducing emissions, and track progress towards them. The accounting methods enable them to do this in a more consistent and transparent manner.

The main reasons for GHG accounting are to address [[Corporate social responsibility|social responsibility]] concerns or meet legal requirements. Public rankings of companies, financial due diligence and potential cost savings are other reasons. GHG accounting methods help investors better understand the [[climate risk]]s of companies they invest in. They also help with [[Net zero emissions|net zero emission]] goals of corporations or communities. Many governments around the world require various forms of reporting. There is some evidence that programs that require GHG accounting help to lower emissions.<ref name=":8" /> Markets for buying and selling [[Carbon offsets and credits|carbon credits]] depend on accurate measurement of emissions and emission reductions. These techniques can help to understand the impacts of specific products and services. They do this by quantifying their GHG emissions throughout their lifecycle ([[carbon footprint]]).  

These techniques can be used at different scales, from those of companies and cities, to the [[Greenhouse gas inventory|greenhouse gas inventories]] of entire nations. They require measurements, calculations and estimates. A variety of standards and guidelines can apply, including the ''Greenhouse Gas Protocol'' and [[ISO 14064]]. These usually group the emissions into three categories. The ''Scope 1'' category includes the direct emissions from an organization's facilities. ''Scope 2'' includes the emissions from energy purchased by the organization. ''Scope 3'' includes other indirect emissions, such as those from suppliers and from the use of the organization's products.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-02-25 |title=Briefing: What are Scope 3 emissions? |url=https://www.carbontrust.com/our-work-and-impact/guides-reports-and-tools/briefing-what-are-scope-3-emissions |access-date=2023-12-19 |website= |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Greenhouse Gas Protocol 2004 25" />

There are a number of challenges in creating accurate accounts of greenhouse gas emissions. Scope 3 emissions, in particular, can be difficult to estimate. For example, problems with [[additionality]] and double counting issues can affect the credibility of carbon offset schemes. Accuracy checks on accounting reports from companies and projects are important. Organizations like [[Climate TRACE|Climate Trace]] are now able to check reports against actual emissions via the use of satellite imagery and [[Artificial intelligence|AI techniques]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=J. |title=Al Gore helped launch a global emissions tracker that keeps big polluters honest |language=en |work=NPR.org |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/11/13/1136376981/al-gore-climate-change |access-date=2023-01-05}}</ref>
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==Origins==
<noinclude>{{Climate change mitigation}}</noinclude>

Initial efforts to create greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting methods were largely at the national level. In 1995, the United Nations [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|climate program]] required developed countries to report annually on their emissions from six types of industry. Two years later, the [[Kyoto Protocol|Kyoto protocol]] defined the greenhouse gases that are the focus of today's accounting methods. These are [[carbon dioxide]] ({{CO2}}), [[methane]] ({{CH4}}), [[nitrous oxide]], [[sulfur hexafluoride]], [[nitrogen trifluoride]], [[hydrofluorocarbon]]s and [[Fluorocarbon|perfluorocarbons]]. These actions raised awareness about the importance of accurate GHG emission estimates.<ref>{{harvnb|Green|2010|pp=6–11}}</ref>{{sfn|LoPucki|2022|p=416}}

In 1998 the [[World Resources Institute]] (WRI) and [[World Business Council for Sustainable Development]] (WBCSD) began work to develop a protocol to support this goal. They published the first version of [[Greenhouse Gas Protocol]] in September 2001.<ref name=":3">{{harvnb|Green|2010|p=11}}</ref> It establishes a "comprehensive, global, standardized framework for measuring and managing emissions from private and public sector operations, [[value chain]]s, products, cities, and policies".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greenhouse Gas Protocol |website=World Resources Institute |url=http://www.wri.org/our-work/project/greenhouse-gas-protocol |access-date=2016-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128041811/https://www.wri.org/our-work/project/greenhouse-gas-protocol |archive-date=2021-01-28 |url-status=live}}</ref> The corporate protocol divides an organization's emissions into three categories. Scope 1 covers direct emissions from an organization's facilities. Scope 2 covers emissions from generating electricity purchased by the organization. Scope 3 covers other indirect emissions.<ref name="Greenhouse Gas Protocol 2004 25">{{harvnb|Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting|2004|p=25}}</ref>

Other initiatives since then have helped promote corporate and community participation in GHG accounting. The [[Carbon Disclosure Project]] (CDP) began in the UK in 2002, and is now a multinational group, with thousands of companies disclosing their GHG emissions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patel |first=Sambhram |date=2021-06-23 |title=CDP reporting: What it is, how it creates value, and how to start |url=https://www.gobyinc.com/what-is-cdp-reporting/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=Conservice ESG |language=en}}</ref> The [[Science Based Targets initiative|Science Based Targets Initiative]] (SBTi) formed in 2015 as a collaboration between CDP, WRI, the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]] (WWF), and the [[United Nations Global Compact]] (UNGC). Its goal is to establish science-based environmental target setting as a standard corporate practice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Segal |first=Mark |date=2021-09-23 |title=SBTi Says 80% of Company Climate Commitments are not Science-Based |url=https://www.esgtoday.com/sbti-says-80-of-company-climate-commitments-are-not-science-based/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=ESG Today |language=en-US}}</ref>

Since the 2015 [[Paris Agreement]] there has been an increased focus on standards for [[financial risk]] from GHG emissions. The [[Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures]] (TCFD) formed as a follow-up to the Paris Agreement. It established a framework of recommendations on the types of information that companies should disclose to investors, lenders, and [[insurance underwriter]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OAR |date=2022-11-28 |title=Market Developments Around Climate-Related Financial Disclosures |url=https://www.epa.gov/climateleadership/market-developments-around-climate-related-financial-disclosures |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref> More recently, governments such as the EU and US have developed regulations that cover corporate financial disclosure requirements and the use of accounting protocols to meet them.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Goldstein |first1=Matthew |last2=Eavis |first2=Peter |date=2022-03-21 |title=The S.E.C. moves closer to enacting a sweeping climate disclosure rule. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/21/business/sec-climate-disclosure-rule.html |access-date=2022-12-15 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="natlawreview.com">{{Cite web |title=Emerging EU ESG Requirements: Transatlantic Implications for Multinational Companies |url=https://www.natlawreview.com/article/emerging-eu-esg-requirements-transatlantic-implications-multinational-companies |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=The National Law Review |language=en}}</ref>

Participation in greenhouse gas accounting and reporting has grown significantly over time. In 2020, 81% of [[S&P 500]] companies reported Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.{{sfn|LoPucki|2022|p=409}} Globally, over 22,000 companies disclosed data to CDP in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A List companies |url=https://www.cdp.net/en/companies/companies-scores |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=www.cdp.net |language=en}}</ref>

==Drivers==
===Internal company drivers===
A variety of business incentives drive corporate carbon accounting. These include rankings alongside other companies,{{sfn|LoPucki|2022|p=409}} managing climate change related risks, investment [[due diligence]], shareholder and stakeholder outreach, staff engagement, and energy cost savings. Accounting for greenhouse gas emissions is often seen as a standard practice for business.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Greenhouse Gas Protocol |publisher=World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development |year=2004 |isbn=1-56973-568-9 |location=USA |pages=11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Kauffmann |first1=C |title=Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting: A Stocktaking of Government Schemes", OECD Working Papers on International Investment, 2012/01 |last2=Tébar Less |first2=C |last3=Teichmann |first3=D |publisher=OECD Publishing |year=2012 |page=27 |doi=10.1787/5k97g3x674lq-en}}</ref>

===Governmental requirements===
Legal requirements provide another type of driver. These are usually created through specific laws on reporting, or within broader environmental programs. [[Carbon emission trading|Emissions trading]] markets also depend on accounting and reporting protocols.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.oecd.org/daf/inv/mne/Report-on-Climate-change-disclosure-in-G20-countries.pdf |title=Climate Change Disclosure in G20 Countries-Stocktaking of corporate reporting schemes |publisher=OECD |year=2015 |location=Paris |pages=16–17}}</ref> In 2015 more than 40 countries had some type of reporting requirement in place.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Singh |first1=Neelam |last2=Longendyke |first2=Lindsey |date=2015-05-27 |title=A Global Look at Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Programs |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/global-look-mandatory-greenhouse-gas-reporting-programs |language=en}}</ref>

The EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is part of the [[European Green Deal]]. It is intended to make EU countries carbon neutral by 2050. This directive will require many large companies and companies with [[Security (finance)|securities]] listed on EU-regulated markets to disclose a broad array of [[Environmental, social, and corporate governance|ESG]] information, including GHG emissions.<ref name="natlawreview.com"/> The UK's Environmental Reporting Guidelines update and clarify requirements in earlier laws that required companies to report information on GHG emissions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-20 |title=SECR explained: Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting framework for UK business |url=https://www.carbontrust.com/news-and-insights/insights/secr-explained-streamlined-energy-carbon-reporting-framework-for-uk |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=Carbon Trust |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Environmental reporting guidelines: including Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting requirements |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-reporting-guidelines-including-mandatory-greenhouse-gas-emissions-reporting-guidance |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=GOV.UK |date=29 March 2019 |pages=26–27 |language=en}}</ref> In the US the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) requires facility (as opposed to corporate) based reporting of GHG emissions from large industrial facilities. The program covers a total of 41 industrial categories.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OAR |date=2014-09-22 |title=Learn About the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) |url=https://www.epa.gov/ghgreporting/learn-about-greenhouse-gas-reporting-program-ghgrp |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref>

Recent regulations are also coming from agencies that traditionally have had a financial focus. The US [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|Security Exchange Commission]] (SEC) proposed a rule in 2022 to require all public companies, regardless of size, to report Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Larger companies would be required to disclose Scope 3 emissions only if they are material to the company, or if the company has set an emissions target that includes Scope 3.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Colvin |first1=D |last2=Davis |first2=K |last3=Powell |first3=B |title=Deep Dive: GHG Reporting Under the SEC's Proposed Climate-Related Disclosure Rule |url=https://www.foxrothschild.com/publications/deep-dive-ghg-reporting-under-the-secs-proposed-climate-related-disclosure-rule |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=Fox Rothschild}}</ref> [[Financial Services Agency|Japan's Financial Services Agency's]] (FSA) also issued rules in 2022 that require financial disclosure of climate related information. These may cover around 4,000 companies, including those listed on the [[Tokyo Stock Exchange]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Japan to require 4,000 companies to disclose climate risks |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Environment/Climate-Change/Japan-to-require-4-000-companies-to-disclose-climate-risks |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=Nikkei Asia |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Government procurement requirements have also begun to incorporate GHG reporting requirements. In 2022 both the US and the UK governments issued executive type orders that require this practice.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Proposed Rule {{!}} Office of the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer |url=https://www.sustainability.gov/federalsustainabilityplan/fed-supplier-rule.html |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=www.sustainability.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mooney |first=Clair |date=2022-08-10 |title=Taking account of carbon reduction plans in the procurement of major government contracts |url=https://www.thefis.org/2022/08/10/taking-account-of-carbon-reduction-plans-in-the-procurement-of-major-government-contracts/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=FIS |language=en-GB}}</ref>

[[Emission trading scheme]]s in various countries also play a role in promoting GHG accounting, as do international carbon offset programs. The [[European Union Emissions Trading System]] (EU ETS) is a [[Emissions trading|cap-and-trade]] system where a limit is placed on the right to emit specified pollutants over an area, and companies can trade emission rights within that area.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agency |first=Environmental Protection |title=EU Emissions Trading System |url=https://www.epa.ie/our-services/licensing/climate-change/eu-emissions-trading-system-/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=www.epa.ie |language=en}}</ref> EU ETS is the second largest trading system in the world after the [[Chinese national carbon trading scheme]], covering over 40% of European GHG emissions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lam |first=Austin |date=2022-12-03 |title=What is an Emissions Trading Scheme and How Does It Work? |url=https://earth.org/what-is-emissions-trading-scheme/ |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=Earth.Org |language=en}}</ref> Greenhouse Gas Protocol is cited in its guidance documents.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/innovfund/wp-call/call-annex_c_innovfund-lsc-2020-two-stage_en.pdf |title=Innovation Fund (InnovFund) Call for proposals - Annex C: Methodology for calculation of GHG emission avoidance |publisher=European Commission |year=2021 |page=29 |access-date=December 27, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Corporate Standard - Greenhouse Gas Protocol |url=https://ghgprotocol.org/corporate-standard |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=ghgprotocol.org|page=4}}</ref> California's [[Emissions trading|cap-and-trade]] program operates along similar principles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=California Cap and Trade |url=https://www.c2es.org/content/california-cap-and-trade/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=Center for Climate and Energy Solutions}}</ref> International offset programs also contain requirements for quantifying emission reductions from specific project. The CDM has a detailed set of monitoring, reporting, and verification procedures,<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Comparison of Carbon Offset Standards - Making Sense of the Voluntary Carbon Market |url=https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?126700/A-Comparison-of-Carbon-Offset-Standards-Making-Sense-of-the-Voluntary-Carbon-Market |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=wwf.panda.org |pages=49–53 |language=en}}</ref> as does the [[Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation|Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation]] (REDD+) program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Measuring, Reporting and Verifying (MRV) REDD+ results |url=http://redd.mma.gov.br/en/measuring-reporting-and-verifying-mrv-redd-results |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=redd.mma.gov.br}}</ref> As of 2022, similar procedures to document project reductions under [[Cooperative Mechanisms under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement|Article 6 of the Paris agreement]] are yet to be worked out .<ref>{{Cite web |title=Article 6 and Voluntary Carbon Markets |url=https://www.oxfordenergy.org/publications/article-6-and-voluntary-carbon-markets/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=Oxford Institute for Energy Studies |language=en}}</ref>

===Non-governmental organization programs===
{{Main|Science Based Targets initiative|Carbon Disclosure Project|Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures}}

Many NGOs have developed programs that both promote GHG accounting and reporting, and help define its features. The Carbon Disclosure project allows a range of protocols for reporting to it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CDP Climate Change 2021 Reporting Guidance |url=https://guidance.cdp.net/en/guidance?cid=18&ctype=theme&idtype=ThemeID&incchild=1&microsite=0&otype=Guidance&tags=TAG-13072,TAG-605,TAG-599 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=guidance.cdp.net |at=Section C.5.2}}</ref> Most companies report GHG emissions to CDP using [[Greenhouse Gas Protocol]] or a protocol based on it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us  |url=https://ghgprotocol.org/about-us |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=Greenhouse Gas Protocol }}</ref> The Science Based Targets initiative cites Greenhouse Gas Protocol guidance as part of its criteria and recommendations.<ref>{{harvnb|Science Based Targets Initiative|2021|p=2}}</ref> Similarly, the TCFD cites [[Greenhouse Gas Protocol]] in its recommended metrics and targets.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |title=Guidance on Metrics, Targets, and Transition Plans |publisher=Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures |year=2021 |at=P 15}}</ref>

==Frameworks and standards==

Many of today's carbon accounting standards have incorporated principles from the 2006 guidelines for greenhouse gas inventories that were created by the [[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]] (IPCC).<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Rypdahl |first1=Kristin |url=https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/vol1.html |title=2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories |last2=Paciornik |first2=N. |last3=Eggleston |first3=S. |last4=Goodwin |first4=J. |last5=Irving |first5=W. |last6=Penman |first6=J. |last7=Woodfield |first7=M. |publisher=International Panel on Climate Change |year=2006 |pages=1.7 to 1.8 |chapter=Chapter 1 - Introduction to the 2006 Guidelines |access-date=December 21, 2022 |chapter-url=https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/pdf/1_Volume1/V1_1_Ch1_Introduction.pdf}}</ref> Those most consistently applied include transparency, accuracy, consistency, and completeness. The IPCC principle of comparability, for example amongst organizations, is less widely applied,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gillenwater |first=Michael |date=2022-01-02 |title=Examining the impact of GHG accounting principles |journal=Carbon Management |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=550–553 |doi=10.1080/17583004.2022.2135238 |s2cid=253057499 |issn=1758-3004|doi-access=free |bibcode=2022CarM...13..550G }}</ref> though techniques to support this goal are mentioned throughout Greenhouse Gas Protocol's corporate standard.<ref>{{harvnb|Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting|2004|pp=56,65,76}}</ref>

These standards typically cover the greenhouse gases first regulated under the Kyoto Protocol.{{sfn|LoPucki|2022|p=416}} They operate in two distinct manners. ''Attributional accounting'' allocates emissions to specific organizations or products, and measures and tracks them over time. ''Consequential accounting'' methods measure the difference from a specific change, like a GHG reduction project.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Brander |first=Matthew |date=2022-01-02 |title=The most important GHG accounting concept you may not have heard of: the attributional-consequential distinction |journal=Carbon Management |language=en |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=337–339 |doi=10.1080/17583004.2022.2088402 |s2cid=249904220 |issn=1758-3004|doi-access=free |bibcode=2022CarM...13..337B |hdl=20.500.11820/f1d04a09-c857-418f-9e68-c982da951d2c |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

===Corporate/local government standards===
Corporations and facilities use a variety of methods to track and report GHG emissions. These include those from Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, the Global Reporting Initiative, the Climate Disclosure Standards Board, the Climate Registry, as well as several industry specific organizations.{{sfn|LoPucki|2022|pp=425–433}} CDP lists an even broader set of acceptable methods for reporting in its guidance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CDP Climate Change 2021 Reporting Guidance |url=https://guidance.cdp.net/en/guidance?cid=18&ctype=theme&idtype=ThemeID&incchild=1&microsite=0&otype=Guidance&tags=TAG-13072,TAG-605,TAG-599 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=guidance.cdp.net |at=Section C.5.2}}</ref> Standards for cities and communities include the Global Protocol for Community Scale Greenhouse Gas Inventories and the ICLEI U.S. Community Protocol. This covers cities and communities in the US.

====Greenhouse Gas Protocol====

GHG Protocol is a group of standards that are the most common in GHG accounting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GHG Protocol |url=https://climate-pact.europa.eu/resources/climate-policy/ghg-protocol_en |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=climate-pact.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref> These standards reflect a number of accounting principles, including relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, and accuracy.<ref>{{harvnb|Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting|2004|pp=8–9}}</ref> The standards divide emissions into three scopes.

Scope 1 covers all direct GHG emissions within a corporate boundary (owned or controlled by a company).<ref name="Greenhouse Gas Protocol 2004 25"/> It includes fuel combustion, company vehicles and [[fugitive emission]]s.<ref>{{harvnb|Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting|2004|p=27}}</ref> Scope 2 covers indirect GHG emissions from consumption of purchased electricity, heat, cooling or steam.<ref>{{harvnb|Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting|2004|pp=27–29}}</ref> As of 2010, at least one third of global GHG emissions are Scope 2.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sotos |first=Mary |url=https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/ghgp/standards/Scope%202%20Guidance_Final_0.pdf |title=GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance |publisher=World Resources Institute |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-56973-850-4 |page=6 |access-date=4 June 2021}}</ref>

Scope 3 emission sources include emissions from suppliers and product users (also known as the "value chain"). Transportation of goods, and other indirect emissions are also part of this scope.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard |url=http://www.ghgprotocol.org/standards/scope-3-standard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131203838/https://ghgprotocol.org/standards/scope-3-standard |archive-date=31 January 2021 |access-date=2016-02-28 |website=Greenhouse Gas Protocol}}</ref> Scope 3 emissions often represent the largest source of corporate greenhouse gas emissions, for example the use of oil sold by [[Saudi Aramco|Aramco]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-21 |title=Aramco's Net-Zero Plan Will Have Net-Zero Impact Before 2035 |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-21/saudi-aramco-doesn-t-plan-to-cut-absolute-emissions-until-2035 |access-date=2023-01-28}}</ref> These were estimated to represent 75% of all emissions reported to the Carbon Disclosure Project, though that percentage varies widely amongst business sectors.<ref>{{cite report |year=2022 |title=CDP Technical Note: Relevance of Scope 3 Categories by Sector |url=https://cdn.cdp.net/cdp-production/cms/guidance_docs/pdfs/000/003/504/original/CDP-technical-note-scope-3-relevance-by-sector.pdf?1649687608 |publisher=Carbon Disclosure Project |page=6 |access-date=January 20, 2023}}</ref> In 2022 about 30% of US companies reported Scope 3 emissions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bokern |first=D. |date=March 9, 2022 |title=Reported Emission Footprints: The Challenge is Real |url=https://www.msci.com/www/blog-posts/reported-emission-footprints/03060866159 |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=MSCI |language=en-US}}</ref> However, the [[International Sustainability Standards Board]] is developing a recommendation that Scope 3 emissions be included as part of all GHG reporting.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Molé |first=P. |date=2022-11-01 |title=ISSB Votes to Include Scope 3 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Disclosures in Updates to Draft Standards |url=https://www.ehs.com/2022/11/issb-votes-to-include-scope-3-greenhouse-gas-ghg-emission-disclosures-in-updates-to-draft-standards/ |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=VelocityEHS |language=en-US}}</ref> There are 15 Scope 3 categories. Examples include goods or services an organization purchases, employee commuting, and the use of sold products. Not every category is relevant to all organizations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrow |first=Martin |display-authors=etal |date=2013 |title=Technical Guidance for Calculating Scope 3 Emissions |url=https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards_supporting/Intro_GHGP_Tech.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807175828/https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards_supporting/Intro_GHGP_Tech.pdf |archive-date=7 August 2021 |access-date=June 4, 2021 |website=Greenhouse Gas Protocol}}</ref>

WRI is currently developing a Land Sector and Removals Standard for its corporate reporting guidelines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Land Sector and Removals Guidance  |url=https://ghgprotocol.org/land-sector-and-removals-guidance |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=Greenhouse Gas Protocol }}</ref> This will include emissions and removals from land management and [[land use change]]; [[Biogenic substance|biogenic products]]; and [[Carbon dioxide removal|carbon dioxide removal technologies]]. Furthermore, GHG Protocol is currently (as of 2024) updating its corporate standards and guidelines, including the Corporate Standard, Scope 2 Guidance, and the Scope 3 Standard.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Standards Update Process: Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://ghgprotocol.org/blog/standards-update-process-frequently-asked-questions |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=GHG Protocol |date=June 1, 2023 }}</ref>

====ISO 14064====
{{Main|ISO 14064}}
The [[International Organization for Standardization]] (ISO) published ISO 14064 standards for greenhouse gas accounting and verification in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web
| url = http://www.iso.org/iso/home/news_index/news_archive/news.htm?refid=Ref994
| title = New ISO 14064 standards provide tools for assessing and supporting greenhouse gas reduction and emissions trading 
|date=2006-03-03
| website = ISO
| access-date = 2016-02-29
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140422232452/http://www.iso.org/iso/home/news_index/news_archive/news.htm?refid=Ref994
| archive-date = 22 April 2014
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> ISO, WRI and WBCSD worked together to ensure consistency amongst the ISO and Greenhouse Gas Protocol standards.{{sfn|Green|2010|pp=15-16}} ISO 14064 is based on Greenhouse Gas Protocol.<ref>{{Cite conference |last1=Wintergreen |first1=J |url=https://www3.epa.gov/ttnchie1/conference/ei16/session13/wintergreen.pdf |title=ISO 14064, International Standard for GHG Emissions Inventories and Verification |last2=Delaney |first2=T |publisher=EPA |year=2007 |conference=16th Annual Emissions Inventory Conference |conference-url=https://www3.epa.gov/ttnchie1/conference/ei16/ |location=Raleigh, NC |access-date=January 14, 2023}}</ref> Part 1 (ISO 14064-1:2006) specifies principles and requirements for estimating and reporting GHG emissions and removals.<ref>{{Cite web
| url = http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=38381
| title = ISO 14064-1:2006 - Greenhouse gases -- Part 1: Specification with guidance at the organization level for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals
| website = www.iso.org
| access-date = 2016-02-29
| archive-date = 15 February 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170215160849/http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=38381
| url-status = live
}}</ref> Part 3 (ISO 14064-3:2006) provides guidance for conducting and managing the verification of GHG reporting.<ref>{{Cite web
| url = http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=38700
| title = ISO 14064-3:2006 - Greenhouse gases -- Part 3: Specification with guidance for the validation and verification of greenhouse gas assertions
| website = www.iso.org
| date = 9 December 2015
| access-date = 2016-02-29
| archive-date = 10 January 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170110135247/http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=38700
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

==== PAS 2060 ====
[[BSI PAS 2060|PAS 2060]] is a standard that describes how organizations can demonstrate [[carbon neutrality]]. It was developed by the British Standards Institute and published in 2010. Under PAS 2060 GHG estimates should include 100% of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, plus all Scope 3 emissions that contribute more than 1% of the total footprint. Organizations must also develop a Carbon Management Plan which contains a public commitment to [[carbon neutrality]] along with a reduction strategy. This strategy should include a time scale for achieving neutrality, specific targets for reductions, how those reductions will be achieved and how residual emissions will be offset.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PAS 2060: The ideal standard for carbon neutrality |url=https://info.eco-act.com/hubfs/0%20-%20Downloads/PAS%202060/PAS%202060%20factsheet%20EN.pdf |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=ecoact |language=en}}</ref>

====EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program====
The [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA)'s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) requires facility and supplier based reporting for many categories of emissions sources. The program includes guidelines for how emissions are to be estimated and reported. Facilities are required to report (1) combustion emissions resulting from burning fossil fuels or [[Biomass (energy)|biomass]] (such as wood or landfill gas); and (2) other emissions from industrial processes, such as chemical reactions from iron and [[steelmaking]], cement, or [[petrochemical]]s. Categories of suppliers that must report include coal and natural gas, petroleum products, as well as suppliers of {{CO2}} and other industrial GHGs. Monitoring methodologies are more specific than GHG Protocol or ISO 14064, and require the use of continuous monitoring systems, [[Mass balance|mass balance calculations]], or default [[emission factor]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program: Emission Calculation Methodologies |url=https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-12/documents/ghgrp_methodology_factsheet.pdf |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=EPA}}</ref> EPA uses the facility-level and supplier data to help prepare the annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, which is submitted to the United Nations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2021 |title=EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11754/4 |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Congressional Research Service}}</ref>

====Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures====
{{Main|Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures}}
Created in 2015, the [[Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures]] (TCFD) provides information to investors about what companies are doing to [[Climate change mitigation|mitigate the risks of climate change]]. TCFD's disclosure standard for companies covers four thematic areas. These are [[governance]], strategy, [[risk management]], and [[Performance indicator|metrics]] and targets.<ref name=":4" /> There are also several principles TCFD emphasizes in its guidance. Disclosures should be representative of relevant information; specific and complete; as well as clear, balanced, and understandable. In addition, estimates also need to be consistent over time; comparable amongst companies within a sector industry or portfolio; reliable, verifiable, and objective; and timely.<ref name=":4" /> The metrics and targets portion of the standard requires measurement and disclosure methods based on GHG Protocol.<ref name=":4" /> The TCFD's standard specifies that companies should disclose all Scope 1 and 2 emissions regardless of their material impacts on the company. Scope 3 emission reporting is dependent on whether they are "material", but TCFD recommends they be included.<ref name=":4" />

====Protocols for cities/communities====
The Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Inventories (GPC) is the result of a collaborative effort between the GHG Protocol at World Resources Institute (WRI), [[C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group]] (C40), and [[Local Governments for Sustainability]] (ICLEI).<ref>{{harvnb|Greenhouse Gas Protocol|2021|p=26}}</ref> It requires a community to first identify the inventory boundary, such as an administrative boundary for a city or county.<ref name="Greenhouse Gas Protocol 2021 10">{{harvnb|Greenhouse Gas Protocol|2021|p=10}}</ref> The protocol focuses on six main activity sectors. These are stationary energy; transportation; waste; industrial processes and product use; agriculture, forestry and other land use. Emissions occurring outside the geographic boundary that are a result of a jurisdiction's activities are also included.<ref name="Greenhouse Gas Protocol 2021 10"/> To distinguish between emissions that occur within a city boundary and outside, the protocol uses the Scope 1, 2 and 3 definitions in GHG Protocol.<ref name="Greenhouse Gas Protocol 2021 10"/> Communities report emissions by gas, scope, sector and subsector using two options. One is a framework that reflects a more traditional Scope 1, 2, and 3 assessment. Another is more focused on activities taking place within that community, and excludes categories such as waste generated outside of it.<ref>{{harvnb|Greenhouse Gas Protocol|2021|p=39}}</ref>

The U.S. Community Protocol (developed by ICLEI–Local Governments for Sustainability USA) is intended to support multiple goals that cities and communities may have in reducing GHG emissions.  These include: climate action planning, highlighting climate change accountability and leadership, tracking GHG emissions performance over time, and encouraging community action.<ref>{{Cite web |last=USA |first=ICLEI |date=2015-06-12 |title=US Community Protocol |url=https://icleiusa.org/us-community-protocol/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=icleiusa.org |page=8 |language=en-US}}</ref> The protocol focuses on specific emission sources and activities to characterize emissions rather than using a Scope 1, 2 and 3  framework, though the overall coverage is similar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=USA |first=ICLEI |date=2015-06-12 |title=US Community Protocol |url=https://icleiusa.org/us-community-protocol/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=icleiusa.org |page=17 |language=en-US}}</ref>  The guidance suggests communities consider the stories they wish to convey about community emissions, and what reporting methods will help tell those stories.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=USA |first=ICLEI |date=2015-06-12 |title=US Community Protocol |url=https://icleiusa.org/us-community-protocol/ |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=icleiusa.org |page=20 |language=en-US}}</ref>  Five basic emissions generating activities are emphasized. These are: use of electricity by the community; use of fuel in residential and commercial stationary combustion equipment; on-road passenger and freight motor vehicle travel; use of energy in drinking water and wastewater treatment and distribution; and generation of solid waste by the community.<ref name=":5" /> Reporting guidance covers a variety of approaches, and organizations can include one or more of them. These include GHG activities and sources over which a local government has significant influence; GHG activities of community interest; household consumption inventories; and an inventory that incorporates the GHG emissions (and removals) from land use.<ref name=":5" />  An independent evaluation of inventories that have been developed using this protocol has questioned whether they capture the full range of Scope 1 sources within their jurisdictions.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gurney |first1=Kevin Robert |last2=Liang |first2=Jianming |last3=Roest |first3=Geoffrey |last4=Song |first4=Yang |last5=Mueller |first5=Kimberly |last6=Lauvaux |first6=Thomas |date=2021-02-02 |title=Under-reporting of greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. cities |journal=Nature Communications |language=en |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=553 |doi=10.1038/s41467-020-20871-0 |pmid=33531471 |pmc=7854656 |bibcode=2021NatCo..12..553G |s2cid=231778063 |issn=2041-1723|doi-access=free }}</ref>

Consumption-based methods, such as PAS 2070, provide another perspective on community greenhouse gas emissions. These clarify the difference between GHG emissions from sources within a community boundary, and GHG emissions from goods and services that are used by residents, but produced outside the community.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Wiltshire |first1=Jeremy |url=https://webstore.ansi.org/preview-pages/BSI/preview_30300817.pdf |year=2013 |title=PAS 2070:2013 - Specification for the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions of a city |last2=Doust |first2=Michael |publisher=BSI Standards Limited |isbn=978-0-580-86536-7 |page=iii |chapter=Preview}}</ref> These consumption-based estimates can often be much greater than those from sources solely within a community.<ref>{{Cite book |year=2019 |url=https://www.c40.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2270_C40_CBE_MainReport_250719.original.pdf |title=The Future of Urban Consumption in a 1.5°C World |publisher=C40 Cities |at=fig.3, p.40 |access-date=18 February 2023 |archive-date=10 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710154522/https://www.c40.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2270_C40_CBE_MainReport_250719.original.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Product accounting standards ===
{{Main|Life cycle assessment}}
 
Product accounting methods are part of a broader set of Life Cycle Assessment approaches that include Product Carbon Footprints. These focus on the single issue of climate change. They can be used for either a product or a service. Related standards include ISO 14067, PAS 2050, and GHG Protocol Product Standard.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last1=De Schryver |first1=An |last2=Zampori |first2=Luca |date=January 2022 |title=Product Carbon Footprint standards: which one to choose? |url=https://pre-sustainability.com/articles/product-carbon-footprint-standards-which-standard-to-choose/ |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=PRé Sustainability |language=en-US}}</ref>

GHG Protocol for Products builds on the framework of requirements in the ISO 14040 and PAS 2050 standards. It is similar to GHG Protocol Scope 3, but focused on life cycle/value chain impacts for a specific product.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bhatia |first1=Pankaj |last2=Cummis |first2=Cynthia |last3=Draucker |first3=Laura |last4=Rich |first4=David |last5=Lahd |first5=Holly |last6=Brown |first6=Andrea |title=Product Standard Greenhouse Gas Protocol |url=https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards/Product-Life-Cycle-Accounting-Reporting-Standard_041613.pdf |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=Greenhouse Gas Protocol |page=6}}</ref> The same five accounting principles apply as with the Corporate Standard.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bhatia |first1=Pankaj |last2=Cummis |first2=Cynthia |last3=Draucker |first3=Laura |last4=Rich |first4=David |last5=Lahd |first5=Holly |last6=Brown |first6=Andrea |title=Product Standard Greenhouse Gas Protocol |url=https://ghgprotocol.org/product-standard |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=ghgprotocol.org |page=19}}</ref> Steps include setting business goals, defining analysis boundaries, calculating results, analyzing uncertainties, and reporting.<ref name="Bhatia">{{Cite web |last1=Bhatia |first1=Pankaj |last2=Cummis |first2=Cynthia |last3=Draucker |first3=Laura |last4=Rich |first4=David |last5=Lahd |first5=Holly |last6=Brown |first6=Andrea |title=Product Standard Greenhouse Gas Protocol |url=https://ghgprotocol.org/product-standard |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=ghgprotocol.org |page=23}}</ref> Boundaries for final products are required to include the complete cradle-to-grave life cycle.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bhatia |first1=Pankaj |last2=Cummis |first2=Cynthia |last3=Draucker |first3=Laura |last4=Rich |first4=David |last5=Lahd |first5=Holly |last6=Brown |first6=Andrea |title=Product Standard Greenhouse Gas Protocol |url=https://ghgprotocol.org/product-standard |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=ghgprotocol.org |page=36}}</ref>

The ISO 14067 standard builds largely on other existing ISO standards for LCA.<ref name=":6" /> Steps include goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, impact assessment, interpretation, and reporting.<ref name="Bhatia" /> For ISO 14067, the life cycle stages that need to be studied in the LCA are defined by a variety of system boundaries. Cradle-to-grave includes the emissions and removals generated during the full life of cycle of the product. Cradle-to-gate includes the emissions and removals up to where the product leaves the organization. Gate-to-gate includes the emissions and removals that arise in the supply chain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gallo |first=Iciar |title=ISO 14067 - What is it and why is it useful for carbon footprint? |url=https://advisera.com/14001academy/blog/2017/05/30/what-is-iso-14067-2013-and-why-is-it-useful-for-carbon-footprint/ |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=advisera.com |language=en}}</ref>

Product footprint analysis can provide insight into GHG contributions throughout the value chain. On average, 45% of total value chain emissions arise upstream in the supply chain, 23% during the company's direct operations, and 32% downstream.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Meinrenken |first1=Christoph J. |last2=Chen |first2=Daniel |last3=Esparza |first3=Ricardo A. |last4=Iyer |first4=Venkat |last5=Paridis |first5=Sally P. |last6=Prasad |first6=Aruna |last7=Whillas |first7=Erika |date=2020-04-10 |title=Carbon emissions embodied in product value chains and the role of Life Cycle Assessment in curbing them |journal=Scientific Reports |language=en |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=6184 |doi=10.1038/s41598-020-62030-x |pmid=32277082 |pmc=7148294 |bibcode=2020NatSR..10.6184M |issn=2045-2322}}</ref>

=== Project accounting standards ===
{{see also|Carbon credit|Carbon offset|Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation}}

Project accounting standards and protocols are typically used to ensure the "environmental integrity" of projects designed to reduce GHG emissions and generate [[carbon offset]]s. They support both compliance type programs as well as voluntary markets.<ref>{{harvnb|NICA|2019|pp=10–17}}</ref>  Accounting rules cover areas such as monitoring, reporting, and verification, and are designed to ensure that the emission reduction estimates for a project are accurate. Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO have specific protocols to accomplish this. Certification organizations also have program requirements can cover project eligibility, certification, and other aspects.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Protocols & Standards |url=https://www.offsetguide.org/understanding-carbon-offsets/carbon-offset-programs/protocols-standards/ |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=Carbon Offset Guide |language=en}}</ref>  [[Verified Carbon Standard]], the [[Gold Standard (carbon offset standard)|Gold Standard]], Climate Action Reserve and the American Carbon Registry are among the leading certification organizations doing this work.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Voluntary Offset Programs |url=https://www.offsetguide.org/understanding-carbon-offsets/carbon-offset-programs/voluntary-offset-programs/ |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=Carbon Offset Guide}}</ref>  Project developers, brokers, auditors, and buyers are the other main types of participants.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://wwfint.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/vcm_report_final.pdf |title=A Comparison of Carbon Offset Standards - Making Sense of the Voluntary Carbon Market |last1=Kollmus |first1=Anja |last2=Zink |first2=Helge |publisher=WWF Germany |language=en |last3=Polycarp |first3=Clifford |access-date=2022-12-20 |year=2008 |pages=11–12}}</ref>

Several principles help ensure the environmental integrity of carbon offset projects that rely on this family of standards. One key principle is [[additionality]]. This depends on whether the project would occur anyway without the funds raised by selling carbon offset credits. For instance, a project would not be considered additional if it is already financially viable due to energy or other cost savings. Similarly, if it would normally be done to meet an [[environmental law]] or regulation, it would not be additional. Various kinds of analyses can help evaluate this aspect of a project, though the results are often subjective.<ref>{{harvnb|SEI-GHGMI|2019|pp=19–20}}</ref>

Projects are also judged based on the permanence of reductions over various time horizons. This is important in areas such as [[Reforestation|forestry projects]]. They should also be designed to avoid [[Double counting (accounting)|double-counting]], where reductions are claimed by more than one organization. Avoiding overestimation of emission reductions is another consideration. Some protocols and standards look to ensure that projects produce social and environmental co-benefits, in addition to emission reductions from the project itself.<ref name="SEI-GHGMI 2019 18–31">{{harvnb|SEI-GHGMI|2019|pp=18–31}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|NICA|2019|pp=24–29}}</ref>

==== ISO 14064 Part 2 ====
This standard provides guidance for quantification, monitoring and reporting of GHG reduction activities or removal enhancements. It includes requirements for planning a GHG project, as well as identifying and selecting GHG sources and sinks. It also covers various aspects of GHG project performance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ISO 14064-2:2006 - Greenhouse gases -- Part 2: Specification with guidance at the project level for quantification, monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emission reductions or removal enhancements |url=http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=38382 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110172413/http://www.iso.org/iso/catalogue_detail?csnumber=38382 |archive-date=10 January 2017 |access-date=2016-02-29 |website=www.iso.org| date=9 December 2015 }}</ref>

==== GHG Protocol standards for projects and policies ====
The accounting principles in the GHG Protocol for Project Accounting include relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, accuracy and conservativeness.{{sfn|Greenhouse Gas Protocol Project Accounting|2004|pp=23-24}} Like the ISO standard, the protocol's focus is on core accounting principles and impact quantification, rather than the programmatic and transactional aspects of carbon credits. The protocol gives general guidance on applying additionality and uncertainty principles, but does not  specifically require them.{{sfn|Greenhouse Gas Protocol Project Accounting|2004|p=7}} WRI and WBCSD have also developed additional guidance documents for projects in the land use, forestry, and electric grid sectors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Project Protocol - Greenhouse Gas Protocol |url=https://ghgprotocol.org/standards/project-protocol |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=ghgprotocol.org}}</ref> GHG Protocol Policy and Action Standard has similar accounting principles, but these are applied to general programs and policies designed to reduce GHGs.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards/Policy%20and%20Action%20Standard.pdf |title=Greenhouse Gas Protocol - Policy and Action Standard |last1=Rich |first1=D. |last2=Bhatia |first2=P. |last3=Finnegan |first3=J. |last4=Levin |first4=K. |last5=Mitra |first5=A. |publisher=World Resources Institute |year=2014 |access-date=December 22, 2022}}</ref>

==== Verified Carbon Standard (VERRA) ====
{{Main|Verified Carbon Standard}}
[[VERRA]] was developed in 2005, and is a widely used voluntary carbon standard. It uses accounting principles based on ISO 14064 Part 2, which are the same as the GHG protocol principles described above.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://verra.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/vcs-standard-v4.4-final.pdf |title=VCS Standard |publisher=Verra |year=2022 |version=4.4 |page=4 |access-date=December 21, 2022}}</ref> Allowable projects under VERRA include energy, transport, waste, and forestry. There are also specific methodologies for REDD+ projects.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Methodologies |url=https://verra.org/methodologies-main/ |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=Verra |language=en-US}}</ref> Verra has additional criteria to avoid double counting, as well as requirements for additionality. Negative impacts on [[sustainable development]] in the local community are prohibited. Project monitoring is based on CDM standards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=carbonfootprint.com - Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) - Carbon Offsetting |url=https://www.carbonfootprint.com/vcs.html |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=www.carbonfootprint.com}}</ref>

==== Gold Standard ====
{{Main|Gold Standard (carbon offset standard)}}
The Gold Standard was developed in 2003 by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in consultation with an independent Standards Advisory Board. Projects are open to any non-government, community-based organization. Allowable project categories include renewable energy supply, energy efficiency, [[afforestation]]/reforestation, and agriculture (the latter can be difficult - for example [[soil carbon]] measurements are depth sensitive<ref>{{Cite web |title=Depth matters for soil carbon accounting – CarbonPlan |url=https://carbonplan.org/research/soil-depth-sampling |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=carbonplan.org |language=en}}</ref>). The program's focus includes the promotion of [[Sustainable Development Goals|Sustainable Developments Goals]]. Projects must meet at least three of those goals, in addition to reducing GHG emissions. Projects must also make a net-positive contribution to the economic, environmental and social welfare of the local population. Program monitoring requirements help determine this.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Michaelowa |first1=Axel |url=https://www.nefco.int/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/NICA-Crediting-Mechanisms-Final-February-2019.pdf |title=Overview and comparison of existing carbon crediting schemes |last2=Shishlov |first2=Igor |last3=Hoch |first3=Stephan |last4=Bofill |first4=Patricio |last5=Espelage |first5=Aglaja |publisher=Nordic Initiative for Cooperative Approaches (NICA) and Perspectives Climate Group Gmbh |year=2019 |location=Helsinki |page=28}}</ref> The standard certifies additionality based on an evaluation of financial viability or the institutional barriers that a project faces.  In some cases additionality is assumed based on the type of project. There are also screens for double counting.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Michaelowa |first1=Axel |url=https://www.nefco.int/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/NICA-Crediting-Mechanisms-Final-February-2019.pdf |title=Overview and comparison of existing carbon crediting schemes |last2=Shishlov |first2=Igor |last3=Hoch |first3=Stephan |last4=Bofill |first4=Patricio |last5=Espelage |first5=Aglaja |publisher=Nordic Initiative for Cooperative Approaches (NICA) and Perspectives Climate Group Gmbh |year=2019 |location=Helsinki |pages=25–26}}</ref>

==Other applications==
[[File:Bioenergy system boundaries.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Example for carbon accounting: [[Bioenergy]] system boundaries for carbon accounting]]
In addition to the uses described above, GHG accounting is used in other settings, both regulatory and voluntary.

=== Renewable energy credits ===
Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) or Guarantees of Origin (GO) document the fact that one megawatt-hour of electricity is generated and supplied to the electrical grid through the use of renewable energy resources.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Benchimol |first1=A. |url=https://www.offsetguide.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FAQ-Green-Power-Purchasing-Claims-and-GHG-Accounting_05262022.pdf |title=Frequently Asked Questions:Green Power Purchasing Claims and Greenhouse Gas Accounting |last2=Gillenwater |first2=G. |last3=Broekhoff |first3=D. |publisher=Greenhouse Gas Management Institute and Stockholm Environmental Institute |year=2022 |page=5 |access-date=December 27, 2022}}</ref> RECs are now being utilized around the world and are becoming more prevalent. The United Kingdom (U.K.) has used renewable obligation certificates since 2002 in order to ensure compliance with the U.K. Renewables Obligation. In the European Union, Guarantees of Origin are used to describe this practice. Australia has used RECs since 2001. More recently, India set up a REC market.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renewable Electricity: How do you know you are using it? |url=https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy15osti/64558.pdf |access-date=December 27, 2022 |website=National Renewable Energy Lab}}</ref>

In the context of GHG accounting, RECs are often used to adjust estimated Scope 2 emissions. In a typical case, a company would calculate its Scope 2 emissions using its electricity consumption and a grid emissions factor. Companies that purchase RECs can use them to lower the average emissions factors included in their inventories. This allows them to report lower emissions even while their real electricity consumption stays the same, as the use of a REC does not necessarily mean additional renewable power has been brought to the grid.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Camille |first=Bond |title=Renewable Energy Credits Allow Companies to Overstate Emissions Reductions |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/renewable-energy-credits-allow-companies-to-overstate-emissions-reductions/ |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=Scientific American |language=en}}</ref> This lack of "additionality" has led to criticism regarding the use of RECs in Scope 2 emission accounting.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gillenwater |first=Michael |date=June 2008 |title=Redefining RECs—Part 1: Untangling attributes and offsets |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2008.02.036 |journal=Energy Policy |volume=36 |issue=6 |pages=2109–2119 |doi=10.1016/j.enpol.2008.02.036 |bibcode=2008EnPol..36.2109G |issn=0301-4215|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Brander |first1=Matthew |last2=Gillenwater |first2=Michael |last3=Ascui |first3=Francisco |date=January 2018 |title=Creative accounting: A critical perspective on the market-based method for reporting purchased electricity (scope 2) emissions |url=https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2017.09.051 |journal=Energy Policy |volume=112 |pages=29–33 |doi=10.1016/j.enpol.2017.09.051 |bibcode=2018EnPol.112...29B |issn=0301-4215|hdl=20.500.11820/d8211c17-9a4a-4459-b3fa-35fde7452a71 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

=== National emissions inventories ===
Data from facility level accounting can improve the overall quality and accuracy of national inventories by providing quality control checks on inventory estimates and through improved emissions factors. This depends in part on what percentage of the sector's emissions the available data covers.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Singh |first1=N. |url=https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/wri_ghg_inventories_final.pdf |title=EXPLORING LINKAGES BETWEEN NATIONAL AND CORPORATE/FACILITY GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORIES |last2=Damassa |first2=T. |last3=Alarcon-Diaz |first3=S. |last4=Sotos |first4=M. |publisher=World Resources Institute |year=2014 |page=11 |access-date=December 27, 2022}}</ref> In some cases, aggregated facility level data can also be used to update or modify inventory results for certain sectors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OAR |date=2017-10-23 |title=Plenary of 2017 International Emissions Inventory Conference |url=https://www.epa.gov/air-emissions-inventories/plenary-2017-international-emissions-inventory-conference |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=www.epa.gov |at=Presentation by Hong Chiu, Slide 8 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Net Zero goals and GHG disclosure===
{{Further|Net zero emissions}}
The Net Zero concept emerged from the Paris Agreement,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Darby |first=Megan |date=2019-09-16 |title=Net zero: the story of the target that will shape our future |url=https://www.climatechangenews.com/2019/09/16/net-zero-story-target-will-shape-future/ |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=Climate Home News |language=en}}</ref> and has become a feature of both national laws and numerous corporate goals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Companies taking action |url=https://sciencebasedtargets.org/companies-taking-action |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=Science Based Targets |language=en-gb}}</ref> Race to Zero was developed in 2019 to encourage private companies and sub-national governments to commit to net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Race to Net Zero Campaign |url=https://unfccc.int/climate-action/race-to-zero-campaign#Minimum-criteria-required-for-participation-in-the-Race-to-Zero-campaign |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=United Nations:Climate Change}}</ref> SBTI created a Net Zero program in 2021 to assist organizations in making this transition. That standard includes restrictions on the use of [[carbon removal]]s to reach net zero goals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Net-Zero Standard |url=https://sciencebasedtargets.org/net-zero |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=Science Based Targets |language=en-gb}}</ref> Accurate and comprehensive GHG accounting is considered a key element of for Net Zero transition plans, including the use of protocols such as GHG Corporate Standard.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Getting Net Zero Right |url=https://netzeroclimate.org/what-is-net-zero/getting-net-zero-right/ |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=Net Zero Climate |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard |publisher=Science Based Targets Initiative |page=29 |version=1.0 |date=October 2021 |url=https://sciencebasedtargets.org/resources/files/Net-Zero-Standard.pdf |access-date=December 27, 2022}}</ref>

The CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) is an international NGO that helps companies and cities disclose their [[environmental impact]].<ref>{{cite web |title=CDP |url=https://www.rolls-royce.com/~/media/Files/R/Rolls-Royce/documents/sustainability/Supplier-docs/CDP.pdf |publisher=[[Rolls-Royce Holdings|Rolls-Royce]] |access-date=17 April 2019}}</ref> It aims to make corporate accounting and reporting a business norm, and drive GHG disclosure, insight, and action. In 2021, over 14,000 organizations disclosed their environmental information through CDP.<ref>{{cite web |title=CDP reports record number of disclosures and unveils new strategy to help further tackle climate and ecological emergency |url=https://www.cdp.net/en/articles/media/cdp-reports-record-number-of-disclosures-and-unveils-new-strategy-to-help-further-tackle-climate-and-ecological-emergency |access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> CDP's 2022 questionnaire on transition plans includes specific requirements for describing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://cdn.cdp.net/cdp-production/cms/guidance_docs/pdfs/000/003/101/original/CDP_technical_note_-_Climate_transition_plans.pdf?1643994309 |title=CDP Technical Note: Reporting on Transition Plans |publisher=CDP |year=2022 |page=6 |access-date=December 27, 2022}}</ref>

==Effectiveness==
With the growth of GHG reporting, more information is now available to provide rankings of GHG emissions from companies and cities.{{sfn|LoPucki|2022|pp=450–452}}<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Curry |first1=Tom |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/14094726/oilandgas_benchmarkingreport2022.pdf |title=Benchmarking Methane and Other GHG Emissions Of Oil & Natural Gas Production in the United States |last2=Hellgren |first2=Luke |last3=Russell |first3=Pye |last4=Fraioli |first4=Sierra |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |year=2022}}</ref> News media have used these rankings to bring attention to those companies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clifford |first=Catherine |date=2022-07-14 |title=Hilcorp Energy, Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips release the most greenhouse gasses among U.S. oil and gas companies |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/14/hilcorp-exxon-mobil-conocophillips-are-top-greenhouse-gas-emitters.html |access-date=2023-05-27 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> In some instances, such as media coverage<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Carbon emissions report says 100 companies to blame for 71% of greenhouse gases |language=en-GB |magazine=Wired UK |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/cdp-carbon-majors-report-2017 |access-date=2023-05-27 |issn=1357-0978}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-10 |title=Just 100 companies responsible for 71% of global emissions, study says |url=http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/jul/10/100-fossil-fuel-companies-investors-responsible-71-global-emissions-cdp-study-climate-change |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> of the 2017 "Carbon Majors" report by CDP,<ref>{{Cite web |title=A List companies |url=https://www.cdp.net/en/companies/companies-scores |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=www.cdp.net |language=en}}</ref>  this particular use of disclosure was shown to be misleading.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Jessica |date=2021-09-07 |title=Only 100 Corporations Responsible For Most of World's Greenhouse Gas Emissions? |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/corporations-greenhouse-gas/ |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=Snopes |language=en}}</ref>

Understanding the overall impacts of GHG reporting in reducing an organization's emissions can be difficult.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.oecd.org/daf/inv/mne/Report-on-Climate-change-disclosure-in-G20-countries.pdf |title=Climate Change Disclosure in G20 Countries-Stocktaking of corporate reporting schemes |publisher=OECD |year=2015 |location=Paris |page=20}}</ref> A number of studies have looked at changes in GHG emissions that occur after GHG reporting begins.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Bauckloh |first1=Tobias |last2=Klein |first2=Christian |last3=Pioch |first3=Thomas |last4=Schiemann |first4=Frank |date=2022-03-29 |title=Under Pressure? The Link Between Mandatory Climate Reporting and Firms' Carbon Performance |journal=Organization & Environment |volume=36 |language=en |pages=126–149 |doi=10.1177/10860266221083340 |issn=1086-0266 |doi-access=free|hdl=10419/250748 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> There is evidence from related programs that self reporting lowers emissions. EPA's Toxic Release inventory is one such example. It has been shown to have had a significant effect in reducing emissions of chemicals once facilities are required to disclose that information.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fung |first1=Archon |last2=O'rourke |first2=Dara |date=2000-02-01 |title=Reinventing Environmental Regulation from the Grassroots Up: Explaining and Expanding the Success of the Toxics Release Inventory |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s002679910009 |journal=Environmental Management |language=en |volume=25 |issue=2 |pages=115–127 |doi=10.1007/s002679910009 |pmid=10594186 |bibcode=2000EnMan..25..115F |s2cid=12073503 |issn=1432-1009|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Recent studies focusing on changes in GHG emissions that result from GHG reporting have shown mixed results. Voluntary carbon reporting itself has often been shown to be ineffective in reducing GHG emissions.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Belkhir |first1=Lotfi |last2=Bernard |first2=Sneha |last3=Abdelgadir |first3=Samih |date=2017-01-01 |title=Does GRI reporting impact environmental sustainability? A cross-industry analysis of {{CO2}} emissions performance between GRI-reporting and non-reporting companies |url=https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-10-2015-0191 |journal=Management of Environmental Quality |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=138–155 |doi=10.1108/MEQ-10-2015-0191 |bibcode=2017MEnvQ..28..138B |issn=1477-7835|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Haque |first1=Faizul |last2=Ntim |first2=Collins G |date=December 2017 |title=Environmental Policy, Sustainable Development, Governance Mechanisms and Environmental Performance: Environmental Policy, Corporate Governance and Environmental Performance |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bse.2007 |journal=Business Strategy and the Environment |language=en |volume=27 |issue=3 |pages=415–435 |doi=10.1002/bse.2007|s2cid=158331788 }}</ref> However, when looking at the additional impact of programs that require GHG emission reporting, studies have shown more of an effect. A recent study of UK reporting requirements showed that they do result in reduced corporate GHG emissions.<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |last1=Downar |first1=Benedikt |last2=Ernstberger |first2=Jürgen |last3=Reichelstein |first3=Stefan |last4=Schwenen |first4=Sebastian |last5=Zaklan |first5=Aleksandar |date=2021-09-01 |title=The impact of carbon disclosure mandates on emissions and financial operating performance |journal=Review of Accounting Studies |language=en |volume=26 |issue=3 |pages=1137–1175 |doi=10.1007/s11142-021-09611-x |s2cid=220061770 |issn=1573-7136|doi-access=free |hdl=10419/266352 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Analyses of EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program found that when firms are required to disclose their facility level emissions, it can also lead to a reduction in GHG intensity of their operations, though the evidence for reductions in absolute emissions is less clear.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last1=Yang |first1=Lavender |last2=Muller |first2=Nicholas |last3=Liang |first3=Pierre |date=2021-09-16 |title=The Real Effects of Mandatory CSR Disclosure on Emissions: Evidence from the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program |url=https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2021/09/16/the-real-effects-of-mandatory-csr-disclosure-on-emissions-evidence-from-the-greenhouse-gas-reporting-program/ |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=The Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance |language=English}}</ref> One suggestion for the effects of specific GHG reporting requirements is that they inhibit the ability of companies to portray their emissions in a flattering way, and so are forced to actually make changes that lower GHG emissions.<ref name=":0" />

There are some confounding factors involved in this research. These include whether or not the studies are done in places where there is emissions trading, such as the EU ETS. Another variable is whether or not the requirements focus on larger companies that emit more GHGs. In addition, firms that are required to report on facility emissions appear to focus on controlling emissions for their affected facilities, but to then transfer emissions to nonreporting facilities that they also control.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7" />

==Limitations==
GHG accounting faces a number of challenges and critical assessments. One category involves how best to determine organizational boundaries and identify inputs and outputs most relevant to emissions. Problems also arise with characterizing uncertainty in emission estimates, and identifying what information materially affects a company's operations, and therefore needs reporting.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.oecd.org/daf/inv/mne/Report-on-Climate-change-disclosure-in-G20-countries.pdf |title=Climate Change Disclosure in G20 Countries-Stocktaking of corporate reporting schemes |publisher=OECD |year=2015 |location=Paris |page=41}}</ref> The use of alternate standards can affect comparability across organizations, as can lack of third party verification.{{sfn|LoPucki|2022|pp=460–462}}

Accurate reporting of Scope 3 emissions is a particular challenge. These emissions can be several times greater than Scope 1 and 2 emissions. In some cases these are reported inconsistently, depending on whom they are reported to. Lack of high-quality data can also affect the accuracy of Scope 3 estimates for particular categories of upstream and downstream sources that influence Scope 3 estimates.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=B. |date=September 17, 2020 |title=Scope 3 Carbon Emissions: Seeing the Full Picture |url=https://www.msci.com/www/blog-posts/scope-3-carbon-emissions-seeing/02092372761 |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=MSCI |language=en-US}}</ref> Companies may neglect to include key Scope 3 categories when reporting to organizations such as CDP.<ref name="Fickling">{{Cite news |last1=Fickling |first1=David |last2=He |first2=Elaine |date=September 30, 2020 |title=The Biggest Polluters Are Hiding in Plain Sight |language=en |work=Bloomberg |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-opinion-climate-global-biggest-polluters-scope-3-emissions-disclosures/ |access-date=2022-12-31}}</ref> As of 2020, only 18% of the constituents of MSCI's global security index reported Scope 3 emissions.<ref name=":1" /> There is also evidence that many of the high rate emitters either under-report or do not report at all.<ref name="Fickling"/> Even Scope 3  data from companies that are then analyzed and summarized by third party auditing firms tend to be highly inconsistent.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Busch |first1=Timo |last2=Johnson |first2=Matthew |last3=Pioch |first3=Thomas |date=February 2022 |title=Corporate carbon performance data: Quo vadis? |journal=Journal of Industrial Ecology |language=en |volume=26 |issue=1 |pages=350–363 |doi=10.1111/jiec.13008 |s2cid=201478727 |issn=1088-1980|doi-access=free |bibcode=2022JInEc..26..350B }}</ref> There are also concerns over double counting of Scope 3 emissions as companies work with their value chain partners. Despite the uncertainty of these numbers, Scope 3 estimates are seen by many companies as important for decision making purposes. They are also considered an important tool for investors to better understand climate related risks in their portfolio.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lloyd |first1=Shannon M. |last2=Hadziosmanovic |first2=Maida |last3=Rahimi |first3=Kian |last4=Bhatia |first4=Pankaj |date=2022-06-24 |title=Trends Show Companies Are Ready for Scope 3 Reporting with US Climate Disclosure Rule |url=https://www.wri.org/update/trends-show-companies-are-ready-scope-3-reporting-us-climate-disclosure-rule |language=en |work=World Resources Institute}}</ref>

Many companies may also inaccurately estimate the climate benefits of their products. This can happen by failing to account for a product's full life cycle, using inappropriate comparisons, conflating market size with product use, and cherry picking results to skew a portfolio towards those products that have less impacts.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Russell |first1=S. |last2=Akopian |first2=Y. |date=March 12, 2019 |title=Many Companies Inaccurately Estimate the Climate Benefits of Their Products |url=https://ghgprotocol.org/blog/many-companies-inaccurately-estimate-climate-benefits-their-products |access-date=2023-01-01 |website=Greenhouse Gas Protocol}}</ref>

Double counting of GHG emissions or benefits can discredit the information value. Problems created by skewed data collection methods can affect companies, GHG reduction projects, investors, those involved in carbon credits/offsets, and regulatory agencies. It can also distort perceptions of progress in reducing emissions.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Caro |first1=Felipe |last2=Corbett |first2=Charles J. |last3=Tan |first3=Tarkan |last4=Zuidwijk |first4=Rob |date=2011-10-12 |title=Carbon-Optimal and Carbon-Neutral Supply Chains |url=https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=1947343 |journal=Economics of Innovation eJournal |language=en |ssrn=1947343 |page =5 |via=SSRN}}</ref> In corporate accounting, double-counting can reach about 30-40% of emissions in institutional portfolios.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raynaud |first=J. |date=November 2015 |title=Carbon Compass: Investor guide to carbon footprinting – IIGCC |url=https://www.iigcc.org/resource/carbon-compass-investor-guide-to-carbon-footprinting/ |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=IIGCC |page=21 |language=en-GB |archive-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530164535/https://www.iigcc.org/resource/carbon-compass-investor-guide-to-carbon-footprinting/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, some accounting methods can still provide organizations with information on how to reduce real emissions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CDP Climate Change 2021 Reporting Guidance |url=https://guidance.cdp.net/en/guidance?cid=18&ctype=theme&idtype=ThemeID&incchild=1&microsite=0&otype=Guidance&tags=TAG-13072,TAG-605,TAG-599 |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=guidance.cdp.net |at=Section C.5.2}}</ref>

In trading schemes and regulatory/inventory schemes, double counting presents other problems.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Caro |first1=Felipe |last2=Corbett |first2=Charles J. |last3=Tan |first3=Tarkan |last4=Zuidwijk |first4=Rob |date=2011-10-12 |title=Carbon-Optimal and Carbon-Neutral Supply Chains |url=https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=1947343 |journal=Economics of Innovation eJournal |language=en |ssrn=1947343 |page=7 |via=SSRN}}</ref> For Renewable Energy Certificates, double counting can falsely exaggerate claims about using renewable resources.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OAR |date=2022-01-25 |title=Double Counting |url=https://www.epa.gov/green-power-markets/double-counting |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref> Double counting of emission reductions can also produce disincentives to use international carbon trading schemes, such as the CDM. Trading participants may be reluctant to purchase credits if the credits are already used by other entities. Double counting of emission reductions could increase the global costs of reducing GHG emissions.<ref name="SEI 2014 15">{{harvnb|SEI|2014|p=15}}</ref>&nbsp;It can also make mitigation pledges less comparable. This, in turn, can affect the credibility of the international climate control efforts, and make it more difficult to reach agreements on how to affect the drivers of climate change.<ref>{{Cite report |last1=Kollmuss |first1=Anja |last2=Lazarus |first2=Michael |last3=Schneider |first3=Lambert |date=2014-03-17 |title=Single-year mitigation targets: Uncharted territory for emissions trading and unit transfers |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/single-year-mitigation-targets-uncharted-territory-for-emissions-trading-and-unit-transfers/ |language=en-GB |series=SEI Working Papers |id=Working Paper No. 2014-01}}</ref> Estimating the extent of double counting is difficult. Estimates depend in part on actions taken at various levels to prevent double counting.<ref name="SEI 2014 15"/>

In addition to double counting, carbon offsets face a variety of other challenges that affect the quality of the offset. These include additionality, overestimation, and permanence of offsets.<ref name="SEI-GHGMI 2019 18–31"/> News stories in 2021 and 2022 have criticized nature-based carbon offsets, the REDD+ program, and certification organizations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-04 |title=Carbon offsets used by major airlines based on flawed system, warn experts |url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/04/carbon-offsets-used-by-major-airlines-based-on-flawed-system-warn-experts |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Temple |first1=L. |last2=Song |first2=J. |title=The Climate Solution Actually Adding Millions of Tons of {{CO2}} Into the Atmosphere |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/the-climate-solution-actually-adding-millions-of-tons-of-co2-into-the-atmosphere |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=ProPublica |date=29 April 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Astor |first=Maggie |date=2022-05-18 |title=Do Airline Climate Offsets Really Work? Here's the Good News, and the Bad. |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/18/climate/offset-carbon-footprint-air-travel.html |access-date=2022-12-31 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The REDD+ program in particular has been criticized as having a poor history of accounting for its results.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burkart |first=K |date=March 16, 2022 |title=REDD+ ALERT: Are nature-based carbon offsets part of the climate problem? {{!}} Greenbiz |url=https://www.climateandcapitalmedia.com/showdown-at-the-nature-zone/ |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=GreenBiz |language=en}}</ref> However, positive aspects of these programs have also been highlighted.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Myers |first1=J.E. |last2=Parra |first2=M.A. |last3=Bedford |first3=C. |date=November 9, 2021 |title=How Carbon Offsetting Can Build a Forest (SSIR) |url=https://ssir.org/articles/entry/how_carbon_offsetting_can_build_a_forest |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=ssir.org |language=en-us}}</ref>

==Current trends==

===Standards alignment and interoperability===
As mentioned in the "Frameworks and standards" section, organizations can use a variety of accounting methods and approaches to estimate and report on GHG emissions. Some standards, such as GHG protocol, have been in existence for more than two decades.<ref name=":3" /> Yet efforts continue to better align these standards and create more interoperability among them. For example, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has also been established to develop a global baseline of sustainability standards that it hopes will help harmonize sustainability disclosure requirements. In 2022, the ISSB established a working group to enhance compatibility among various corporate disclosure requirements, including the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and SEC's 2022 disclosure rule.<ref>{{Cite web |last=LLP |first=Latham & Watkins |date=2022-05-09 |title=ISSB Announces Working Group and Forum to Coordinate with Country-Specific ESG Reporting Standards |url=https://www.globalelr.com/2022/05/issb-announces-working-group-and-forum-to-coordinate-with-country-specific-esg-reporting-standards/ |access-date=2023-01-01 |website=Environment, Land & Resources |language=en-US}}</ref>

Although these are all based on the broader elements of the TCFD framework and GHG protocol, they differ in a variety of ways. For example, when the SEC proposal uses the term "material", it is only describing the extent to which  reporting on emissions could directly impact a company financially. The CSRD proposal uses a "double materiality" criterion, which takes into consideration impacts on both a company and the public at large. It remains to be seen how these types of issues will be reconciled.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ohl |first1=Andreas |last2=Horn |first2=Heather |last3=Wieman |first3=Valerie |date=2022-10-10 |title=Navigating the ESG landscape: Comparison of the "Big Three" Disclosure Proposals |url=https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2022/10/10/navigating-the-esg-landscape-comparison-of-the-big-three-disclosure-proposals/ |access-date=2023-01-01 |website=The Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance |language=English}}</ref>

Another trend is an increased convergence between voluntary standards and regulatory requirements. These began with the incorporation of voluntary offsets standards into the California Emission Trading System. More recently, the [[Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation]] (CORSIA) has incorporated guidance from voluntary carbon market standards. It has approved seven such standards as eligible for use by airlines under its program.<ref>{{harvnb|EDF|2021|p=4}}</ref>

===Support for net zero goals===
There is also an increased focus on aligning GHG accounting standards with [[Net zero emissions|net zero]] goals and claims. SBTi launched a net zero corporate standard in 2021. Companies that pledge to this standard need to have both short term targets as well as targets for 2050.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SBTi launches world-first net-zero corporate standard |url=https://sciencebasedtargets.org/news/sbti-launches-world-first-net-zero-corporate-standard |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=Science Based Targets |language=en-gb}}</ref> ISO also has a new standard under development, ISO 14068, that supports net zero goals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ISO 14068 - Greenhouse Gas Management and Related Activities |url=https://www.nqa.com/en-us/resources/blog/march-2022/iso-14068-greenhouse-gas |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=NQA Blog}}</ref> It is expected to build on the original net neutrality standard, PAS 2060.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ISO 14068 - Greenhouse Gas Management and Related Activities |url=https://www.nqa.com/en-us/resources/blog/march-2022/iso-14068-greenhouse-gas |access-date=2023-01-02 |website=NQA}}</ref>

===Managing Scope 3 emissions===
For the average company, Scope 3 emissions estimates are significantly higher than the level of direct emissions.<ref>{{harvnb|CDP Global Supply Chain Report|2021|p=4}}</ref> NGOs such as SBTI are working to address this. If a company's Scope 3 emissions are more than 40% of their total, that company needs a Scope 3 target to meet SBTi standards.<ref>{{harvnb|Science Based Targets Initiative|2021|p=8}}</ref> However, only about a third of suppliers reporting to CDP as part of their Global Supply Chain program describe specific climate targets.<ref>{{harvnb|CDP Global Supply Chain Report|2021|p=13}}</ref>

In some cases, companies are working with their suppliers to set goals for measuring and reducing emission.<ref>{{harvnb|EPA Emerging Trends in Supply Chain Emissions Engagement|2018|pp=17–18}}</ref> Other efforts include developing supplier codes of conduct for specific business sectors.<ref>{{harvnb|EPA Emerging Trends in Supply Chain Emissions Engagement|2018|pp=21–22}}</ref> Companies may also target specific offset projects within their own Scope 3 supply chains.<ref name="EDF 2021 3">{{harvnb|EDF|2021|p=3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.goldstandard.org/sites/default/files/value_change_scope3_guidance-v.1.1.pdf |title=VALUE CHAIN (SCOPE 3) INTERVENTIONS – GREENHOUSE GAS ACCOUNTING & REPORTING GUIDANCE |publisher=Gold Standard |year=2021 |edition=Version 1.1 |page=7}}</ref> Government agencies have developed guidance on how to engage with suppliers, including basic questionnaires about Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OAR |date=2015-07-24 |title=How to Engage Suppliers |url=https://www.epa.gov/climateleadership/how-engage-suppliers |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref>

===Voluntary carbon markets===
The voluntary market is expected to grow tremendously over the next few decades. To date, the Scope 1-3 emissions of the 54 Global Fortune 500 companies that committed to net zero by 2050 or earlier is about 2.5 gigatons of {{CO2}} equivalent.<ref name="EDF 2021 3"/> By comparison, the volume of credits traded on the voluntary carbon market was about 300 megatons as of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Belletti |first1=Elena |last2=Schelble |first2=Rachel |date=2022-02-08 |title=Voluntary carbon markets: here to stay? |url=https://www.woodmac.com/news/opinion/voluntary-carbon-markets-here-to-stay/ |access-date=2023-01-12 |website=Wood Mackenzie |language=en}}</ref> Global demand for carbon credits could increase up to 15 times by 2030 and 100 times by 2050.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 29, 2021 |title=Carbon credits: Scaling voluntary markets |url=https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/sustainability/our-insights/a-blueprint-for-scaling-voluntary-carbon-markets-to-meet-the-climate-challenge |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=McKinsey}}</ref> Carbon removal projects such as forestry and [[carbon capture and storage]] are expected to have a larger share of this market in the future, compared to renewable energy projects.<ref>{{harvnb|EDF|2021|p=2}}</ref>

===Alternative validation approaches===
[[File:SeaStar satellite orbit.jpg|thumb|SeaStar satellite. Similar satellites, such as the [[Sentinel-5 Precursor|Sentinel 5P]], helps detect methane leaks. Data from sources like the [[Copernicus Programme]] are free, and can help validate organisations' carbon accounting results.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Magazine |first1=Smithsonian |last2=Morrison |first2=Jim |title=A New Generation of Satellites Is Helping Authorities Track Methane Emissions |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/a-new-generation-of-satellites-is-helping-authorities-track-methane-emissions-180979181/ |access-date=2023-01-28 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}</ref>]] 
Techniques are being developed to use other emission data sets to validate GHG accounting methods. [[Project Vulcan]] collects data from a large number of publicly available data sources for the United States such as pollution reporting, energy statistics, [[Flue-gas stack|power plant stack]] monitoring, and traffic counts.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gurney |first1=Kevin R. |last2=Liang |first2=Jianming |last3=Patarasuk |first3=Risa |last4=Song |first4=Yang |last5=Huang |first5=Jianhua |last6=Roest |first6=Geoffrey |date=2020-10-16 |title=The Vulcan Version 3.0 High-Resolution Fossil Fuel CO 2 Emissions for the United States |journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres |language=en |volume=125 |issue=19 |pages=e2020JD032974 |doi=10.1029/2020JD032974 |issn=2169-897X |pmc=7583371 |pmid=33133992|bibcode=2020JGRD..12532974G }}</ref> Using these data, US cities have been found to often underestimate their emissions.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gurney |first1=Kevin Robert |last2=Liang |first2=Jianming |last3=Roest |first3=Geoffrey |last4=Song |first4=Yang |last5=Mueller |first5=Kimberly |last6=Lauvaux |first6=Thomas |date=2021-02-02 |title=Under-reporting of greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. cities |journal=Nature Communications |language=en |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=553 |doi=10.1038/s41467-020-20871-0 |pmid=33531471 |pmc=7854656 |bibcode=2021NatCo..12..553G |issn=2041-1723|doi-access=free }}</ref> Methods that link emissions data with atmospheric measurements can help improve city inventories.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mueller |first1=K. L. |last2=Lauvaux |first2=T. |last3=Gurney |first3=K. R. |last4=Roest |first4=G. |last5=Ghosh |first5=S. |last6=Gourdji |first6=S. M. |last7=Karion |first7=A. |last8=DeCola |first8=P. |last9=Whetstone |first9=J. |date=July 20, 2021 |title=An emerging GHG estimation approach can help cities achieve their climate and sustainability goals |journal=Environmental Research Letters |language=en |volume=16 |issue=8 |page=084003 |doi=10.1088/1748-9326/ac0f25 |bibcode=2021ERL....16h4003M |issn=1748-9326|doi-access=free }}</ref>

[[Climate TRACE|Climate Trace]] is an independent organization that improves [[Monitoring, reporting and verification|monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV)]] by publishing point sources of carbon dioxide and methane in near-real-time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=David |date=2020-07-16 |title=The entire world's carbon emissions will finally be trackable in real time |url=https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2020/7/16/21324662/climate-change-air-pollution-tracking-greenhouse-gas-emissions-trace-coalition |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=Vox |language=en}}</ref> Climate Trace has found underreporting of emissions from the oil and gas sector.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harvey |first=F. |date=2022-11-09 |title=Oil and gas greenhouse emissions 'three times higher' than producers claim |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/09/oil-and-gas-greenhouse-emissions-three-times-higher-than-producers-claim |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Climate change|Ecology|Environment|Energy}}
* [[Carbon emissions trading]]
* [[Carbon footprint]]
* [[Clean Development Mechanism]]
* [[Cooperative Mechanisms under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement]]
* [[European Union Emissions Trading System]]
* [[Flexible Mechanisms]]
* [[Greenhouse gas inventory]]
* [[Greenhouse gas monitoring]]
* [[Regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act]]
{{Clear}}

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==External links==
*[https://www.unglobalcompact.org/library/1051 Business Leadership Criteria on Carbon Pricing]
*[https://archive.today/20130103173826/http://www.mandatorycarbonreporting.com/ UK Mandatory Carbon Reporting]
*[http://www.defra.gov.uk/ Defra]
*[http://www.ghgprotocol.org/ The GHG Protocol]
*[http://www.carbontrust.com/ The Carbon Trust]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140516190824/http://carbon-reporting.co.uk/ Carbon Reporting]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101210005144/http://carbon-emissions-reporting.com/category/carbon-market Verisai]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195848/http://www.hss.energy.gov/nuclearsafety/env/guidance/ghg/ghg_reporting.pdf EPA Regulations]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110719235941/http://www.pwc.co.uk/pdf/carbon_reporting_may_09.pdf/ Greenhouse emissions report]
*[https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/11/09/09greenwire-epa-issues-emissions-reporting-rules-for-oil-a-30139.html Energy and environment]

{{Global warming}}
{{Social accountability}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carbon Accounting}}
[[Category:Carbon finance]]
[[Category:Types of accounting]]
[[Category:Greenhouse gas inventories]]
[[Category:Management cybernetics]]